Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (SET: THAI) has reportedly suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chai Eamsiri and appointed board member and Executive Committee member Samrit Samniang as acting CEO, following the airline’s recent operational disruption.
The reported management change comes after THAI experienced significant disruption at Suvarnabhumi Airport, including flight delays and cancellations and a substantial backlog of delayed passenger baggage following flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
THAI had previously reduced its flight schedule on October 1 and 2 to align operations with available capacity, while stepping up efforts to clear delayed baggage and restore normal services. The airline has said it aims to resume all scheduled flights from October 3.
Samrit, who serves as a THAI director and member of the Executive Committee, has been named to take over the CEO responsibilities on an acting basis, according to the reports.
The reported decision follows a special board meeting convened to assess the airline’s operational situation and response to the disruption. Earlier reports prior to this had indicated that the board could consider Chai’s position following mounting attention over the handling of the service problems.
As of the latest reports, THAI had not yet issued a formal public announcement confirming the CEO suspension.
